I loved Black Water Sister and The Order of the Pure Moon, so nobody is more sad than me that this was a miss. The family issues took centre stage oveI loved Black Water Sister and The Order of the Pure Moon, so nobody is more sad than me that this was a miss. The family issues took centre stage over the romance (which I didn't mind because I found the family drama more interesting), but the whole book got too bogged down in small details and the pacing was very slow. I think this could have benefited from being a novella, as it would have improved the cadence of the story.
I also can't believe/am low-key impressed that Zen Cho had the guts to (essentially) write: "and then they had sex and that was a thing they did" for one of the smut scenes. ...more
A slow-but-thoughtful story about the importance of books in our lives. This is one that gets better the more you read, and I really liked the idea ofA slow-but-thoughtful story about the importance of books in our lives. This is one that gets better the more you read, and I really liked the idea of books always having had souls. I actually wouldn't recommend this one on audio, though, because, in a note at the end, the translator says that they chose to keep the cat gender-neutral to match the original text. But the audiobook is read by a man and he gives the cat a very smooth, male voice, which makes us assume it's a male cat. So that little bit of nuance from the original text is lost. ...more
Just a lovely, light-hearted historical romance that was a relaxing read. I would've liked to have seen Chloe and Jeremy get more involved in the triaJust a lovely, light-hearted historical romance that was a relaxing read. I would've liked to have seen Chloe and Jeremy get more involved in the trials themselves, but it wasn't a deal-breaker that they didn't. If you're looking for an easy-going romance with no third act break up, then this is a good pick....more
I went into this hoping for a fun romance and was pleasantly surprised by how much depth it had. The dual timeline worked really well and the more I rI went into this hoping for a fun romance and was pleasantly surprised by how much depth it had. The dual timeline worked really well and the more I read, the more invested in the main characters I got. Very glad I picked this one up. ...more
Sadly, this was a lot more uneventful than I was expecting and the pacing was very slow. But there was one really beautiful scene that made me cry, soSadly, this was a lot more uneventful than I was expecting and the pacing was very slow. But there was one really beautiful scene that made me cry, so I bumped it up a star for that. ...more
When am I going to learn my lesson stop picking up workplace rivals-to-lovers romances? Next time I contemplate reading one, somebody stop me. I need When am I going to learn my lesson stop picking up workplace rivals-to-lovers romances? Next time I contemplate reading one, somebody stop me. I need to remember that they're not for me and I never have fun reading them, partly because authors always seem to fall into the trap of making their protagonists immature and childish (with too many pranks). Sadly, this was no exception....more
I really liked the Stand In when I read it a few years back, so I was looking forward to this one. And I loved the anticipation of waiting for AriadneI really liked the Stand In when I read it a few years back, so I was looking forward to this one. And I loved the anticipation of waiting for Ariadne to find out who Jihoon really was (it was actually better than the build up of them getting together, imo). The scenes where we were waiting for the fans to find out (view spoiler)[ that the two of them were dating (hide spoiler)] were also imbued with a gratifying tension and inevitability. I loved Jihoon and his softness, but I felt like Ariadne got in the way of her own happiness a lot. For someone who fought so hard to be a lawyer, it surprised me that she wouldn't fight for their relationship in the same way. So, while I enjoyed this, it didn't really hit any great heights for me? I also think the last third was far longer than it needed to be. ...more
A cosy, comforting read, reminding us of the special ways food can bring people together and evoke strong memories. Each character that visits Koishi A cosy, comforting read, reminding us of the special ways food can bring people together and evoke strong memories. Each character that visits Koishi and her father Nagare is trying to unlock a specific or important memory from their past, and what follows is a series of vignettes about each of their lives as the father-daughter duo investigate ingredients and locations to piece together the dishes. This is a hopeful, uplifting story with a big focus on food and the way it shapes our past. Reading this made me long for Kyoto again and some of the delicious food we enjoyed there....more
Of the seven short stories in this collection, I found "Shoko's Smile" and "Hanji and youngju" intriguing and enjoyable. These were the stand-out two Of the seven short stories in this collection, I found "Shoko's Smile" and "Hanji and youngju" intriguing and enjoyable. These were the stand-out two for me; sadly the rest didn't captivate me in the same way....more
OK, I have to ask: WHAT happened with that ending??? It was like the book should have had another 50 pages or so, but instead theBuddy read with Cami!
OK, I have to ask: WHAT happened with that ending??? It was like the book should have had another 50 pages or so, but instead the crew land on a particular planet (which shall remain nameless because of spoilers) and the book just ENDS? There was no resolution for Tao's family, no conclusion to the budding romance, and no hint of what would happen next?? I am BAFFLED.
Because apart from the ending, this was SUCH a good book. The intricacies of the plot were exquisite and the way all the different elements were woven together was smart. The writing was fantastic and the characters were so interesting. This author clearly knows how to tell a good story, which is why I was so confused when the novel just ENDED several chapters before it should have done. There were a multitude of things left unresolved and so many questions that went unanswered.
And nobody is more disappointed than me because this was going to be a 4.5 star read right up until that final chapter. I just don't understand what happened? It's like if I knitted you a jumper and then gave it to you to wear, but it's MISSING A FULL SLEEVE. The rest of the jumper is lovely but THERE'S ONLY ONE SLEEVE. Anyway, I need the rest of this story, who do I have to beg?...more
Heart-felt and earnest, with a mixture of fun, uplifting scenes and some sad, moving moments. Some of the experiences Mia goes through felt so vivid tHeart-felt and earnest, with a mixture of fun, uplifting scenes and some sad, moving moments. Some of the experiences Mia goes through felt so vivid that I wondered if they were based on the author's real life, and she confirmed this the author's note and the end of the novel. I don't reach for MG often, but I'm really glad I read this one. ...more
A nuanced and realistic but dark depiction of idol obsession among teens. Akari becomes so focused on her oshi and so single-minded in her desire to uA nuanced and realistic but dark depiction of idol obsession among teens. Akari becomes so focused on her oshi and so single-minded in her desire to understand him and be closer to him that she ends up missing assignments at school, forgetting to eat, and not engaging with her friends or family (outside of her online friends).
She lives for her idol so much that she forgets to live for herself, and the story follows a melancholic trajectory as she slowly loses touch with life around her. The novel also considers the different ways in which we react when someone we're a fan of makes a mistake, and assesses the damage that misinformation and hearsay can cause. (Though I would have liked to see a more in-depth discussion of the latter.)...more
I liked the concept for this story, but I felt like the jumps in time and the moments where Kazu shifts from one stranger to another, listening in on I liked the concept for this story, but I felt like the jumps in time and the moments where Kazu shifts from one stranger to another, listening in on their conversations, lacked cohesion. The focus on the harsh realities of being homeless was powerful, but I think my main issue stemmed from the audiobook narrator. I just didn't gel with him at all. His voice didn't feel right for the character, coming across as too loud or harsh at times, and this severed my connection with Kazu and with the story....more
I saw a review before I read this saying to go into it expecting no plot, just vibes and smut, and you'd have a good time. So, I set my expectations iI saw a review before I read this saying to go into it expecting no plot, just vibes and smut, and you'd have a good time. So, I set my expectations in the floor and marched onwards.
And honestly? I think it helped; there ended up being parts of this that I very much enjoyed. The 4BCE timeline was definitely the strongest of the three, with the court intrigue and scintillating descriptions of the endless palace and its grounds. The smut was also pretty good, though I will never be able to unhear "I pounded his pink plum" or "forest of meat" (referring to an orgy) and those phrases will haunt me to my dying day. Also why were they (view spoiler)[having sex in mid-air? Twice?? What was the reasoning behind that? I really want to know. (hide spoiler)] The pacing was also really good throughout the modern day and 4BCE timelines and there was enough mystery to keep me hooked.
But sadly, the narrative issues overshadowed the good things. The 18th century timeline didn't captivate me and the fantasy elements in this era felt muddled and poorly exposited. The plot twist with the doctor wasn't given its due in terms of drama or tension, so it just came across as an underwhelming moment in a timeline that was already struggling with cohesion. I also think this book could have benefited from being told in chronological order, rather than the three timelines running concurrently (though I can understand why the author made that choice).
My main issue was the fact that we didn't get the same POV during each timeline. But it comes across as though we do for the first half of the audiobook. So, when it turns out that River, in modern day, and the courtesan in 4BCE aren't the same person, it really threw me off.
The novel would have worked better if there was one POV and it was the same character throughout each reincarnation - even better if he was the one that remembered their past lives. (view spoiler)[Because it didn't make sense to me that River remembered nothing and Joey remembered everything when River was the one with abilities and heaven's blessing in their previous lives. Surely it would have been more logical to have River remember and then try and convince Joey of everything? (hide spoiler)] For maximum impact, there should have only been one character who remembered each lifetime all the way through.
As a result of the switching POVs (not the switching timelines), the story gradually loses cohesion as it progresses, made worse by the anticlimactic present day ending. (view spoiler)[You're telling me that River just walks away and decides never to see Joey again? After all those lifetimes of losing each other? For a satisfying ending, we either needed a clear HEA or for one of them to die, and the cycle begin to begin again. (hide spoiler)]
For me, the book should have ended with the final present day scenes, not by returning to the 18th century timeline. It made the last scene feel tacked on as an afterthought and the whole ending seemed like a disservice to what the book was trying to do - set up this great love story that had spanned hundreds of years and many lifetimes. So, while there were some great, entertaining scenes, a lot of things could have been improved by editing and different narrative choices....more
A mind-bending read, bordering on dystopian at times. I liked the moral messages about the danger of commercialising and capitalizing on disaster siteA mind-bending read, bordering on dystopian at times. I liked the moral messages about the danger of commercialising and capitalizing on disaster sites (for financial gain, with little sympathy for those who were affected), but I think the impact of this one got a little lost in the understated narrative. I was also simultaneously surprised and yet not surprised that (view spoiler)[the author killed off the protagonist. I got the feeling from the beginning that it wasn't going to end well for her, but it was still an incredibly bold move. I'm not sure it worked out for the best, though, because the ending felt a bit lacklustre without her and there wasn't really another strong character who could carry the story to its conclusion. (hide spoiler)]...more
Kate (Reading Through Infinity)
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